Synopsis: First in a new cozy mystery series featuring Southern cooking that is to die for.Aspiring chef and small-town Virginia native Amy Flowers is ready to open her own café offering old-fashioned Southern food. But her dream may go up in smoke when someone kills the competition…Tired of waiting tables at Lou’s Joint, Amy Flowers doesn’t just quit—she offers to buy the place from her bully of a boss, so she can finally open the café of her dreams. Amy can’t wait to serve the kind of Southern, down-home treats and dishes that her grandmother always loved to the kooky cast of regulars at the restaurant. She knows her comfort food will be the talk of the sweet, small town of Winter Garden, Virginia.At first Lou Lou refuses to sell, but when she seems ready to make a deal, she tells Amy to come see her. Showing up at the eatery ready to negotiate, Amy is shocked to find her former employer murdered. As the prime suspect, Amy will have to clear her name by serving up the real killer—and with Lou Lou’s stack of enemies, that’s a tall order.Includes delicious Southern recipesReview: I am so excited by all the new cozy mystery series coming out this year! This one looks like it is going to be a favorite of mine. Amy Flowers is a very strong main character. She has a dream, and she's determined to make it come true, no matter what obstacles she has to overcome in the process. She also has a strong support system of family and friends who make for interesting supporting characters in the story. I'm sure we will get to know more about all of them as the series continues.We are treated to a murder mystery and some romantic overtones in this story as well. If you're looking for a fun summer read, this would be a wonderful choice.**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**Rating: Four starsAbout the author

Gayle Leeson is a pseudonym for Gayle Trent. I also write as Amanda Lee. As Gayle Trent, I write the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery series and the Myrtle Crumb Mystery series. As Amanda Lee, I write the Embroidery Mystery series. I live in Virginia with my family, which includes her own “Angus” who is not an Irish wolfhound but a Great Pyrenees who provides plenty of inspiration for the character of Mr. O’Ruff. I’m having a blast writing this new series!